Cleaning of surfaces

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising brush means including a body ( 16 ) which carries bristles ( 17 ) engageable with the surface; means for effecting movement of the bristles relative to the surface, to provide an agitating cleaning action thereon; said bristle-carrying body further being provided with steam delivery means ( 20, 21 ) for applying steam to said surface in a region thereof engaged by said bristles. The apparatus may be for cleaning a conveyor belt ( 10 ), with the brush in the form of a drum ( 16 ) rotatable about an axis ( 18 ) parallel to the conveyor belt with the steam passing through the drum and emerging through peripheral apertures ( 21 ), the brush being disposed within a hood ( 15 ) with an extraction system for loosened dirt and water.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the cleaning of surfaces. The inventionhas been devised in relation to the cleaning of a floor surface, or thesurface of a conveyor belt, but it is believed the invention will alsofind utilisation in the cleaning of other surfaces, e.g. wall surfaces.

[0002] One application of the invention is for the cleaning of conveyorsfor use in the food industry, where cleanliness and hygiene are of highimportance. One technique which has been used for these reasons is thatof steam cleaning in which steam is applied to the belt surface throughone or more jets or nozzles. This combined with the agitating orabrading action of brush bristles on the belt leads to the achieving ofa high standard of cleanliness. However, the application of steam to thebelt surface has been carried out in a region separated from the regionin which brush bristles act on the belt surface.

[0003] It is broadly the object of the present invention to provide animproved method and apparatus for cleaning a surface for example a floorsurface or that of a conveyor belt. The particular features of theinvention whereby such an improvement is achieved will be referred tohereafter.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, we provideapparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising brush means including abody which carries bristles engageable with the surface; means foreffecting movement of the bristles relative to the surface, to providean agitating cleaning action thereon; said bristle-carrying body furtherbeing provided with steam delivery means for applying steam to saidsurface in a region thereof engaged by said bristles.

[0005] Conveniently said bristle-carrying body is a hollow body and saidsteam delivery means provides for steam to be passed therethrough and toemerge in the vicinity of said bristles.

[0006] Preferably said bristle-carrying body is in the form of a hollowcylinder with bristles carried on the external surface of a peripheralwall thereof, supported for rotation and drivable about its longitudinalaxis so that the bristles are operable on a surface lying substantiallyparallel to said axis. Preferably steam is supplied to the interior ofsuch a body and emerges through passages afforded by apertures in theperipheral wall of the body.

[0007] By such expedients, the invention ensures that steam is appliedto the conveyor surface in the region in which it is engaged by thebristles rather than at a spacing from such region. Improvedeffectiveness in cleaning is thereby achieved, while less steam isrequired than if it were applied to the surface at a distance from thebrush means.

[0008] Preferably said brush means is disposed within and covered by ahood which is arranged to approach the surface which is to be cleaned.Thereby steam emerging from the bristle-carrying body of the brush meansat parts of the periphery thereof not facing the surface is constrainedand prevented from escape into the surrounding atmosphere, and cancontact the surface being cleaned within the entire area of such a hoodas well as in the comparatively small part of such area where thebristles engage the surface, further to enhance the cleaning operation.

[0009] Preferably there is extraction means for removing loosened dirt,water due to condensation of the steam, etc. from the surface beingcleaned. Preferably such extraction means has at least one intake at oneor more boundary(s) of the hood; thereby it will prevent excess steamfrom escaping at such boundary(s).

[0010] Preferably the axis of the brush means extends transversely of aconveyor in relation to which the apparatus according to the inventionis installed, and further preferably, in such an installation, theextraction means has intake openings at the front and rear of the hoodwith respect to the normal direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

[0011] One or more further cleaning devices or expedients may beprovided in association with the apparatus according to the invention asabove described, for example wiping members, brushes, air jets and so onmay be provided in the region of the aforesaid intake opening oropenings of the extraction system.

[0012] Apparatus in accordance with the invention may be mounted on asupport means, e.g. a chassis structure enabling the apparatus to bemoved over a surface which is required to be cleaned (for example afloor surface) while being supported at the appropriate height abovesuch surface for the apparatus to function satisfactorily. Alternativelythe apparatus can be supported by a fixed frame in the case such as aconveyor belt where the surface which is to be cleaned moves past theplace where the apparatus is mounted.

[0013] Whilst it would be possible for apparatus in accordance with theinvention to extend across the whole width of the belt, the apparatusmay be supported by means providing for it to move transversely of thebelt in order to enable an apparatus of lesser width to be able to coverthe entire width of the conveyor belt by being moved transverselythereof. In use the cleaning apparatus may be moved transversely of theconveyor belt while the conveyor belt is moving, the movement of theapparatus being coordinated, manually or automatically, with themovement of the belt in order to cover substantially the entire surfacethereof in use.

[0014] It would be possible for a steam generator and a suctiongenerator for the extraction system to be mounted with the brush means,hood, and other associated components as referred to above, on a chassisto form a single unit movable over a floor surface for example. Asapplied to conveyor belt cleaning, steam may be delivered to theapparatus from a remotely-positioned steam generator, e.g. disposedalongside the conveyor. Similarly the extraction system may be connectedto a source of suction at a remote location; both a steam generator andsource of suction could be disposed in an equipment cabinet alsocontaining an appropriate control system for controlling operation ofthe apparatus. Connection may be made by suitable, preferably flexible,pipes and electrical cables.

[0015] The invention will now be described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an apparatus inaccordance with the invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, mounted in relation to aconveyor belt for cleaning the latter;

[0018]FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically where apparatus in accordance withthe invention might be mounted in relation to a conveyor belt.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a conveyor belt isindicated at 10 and its normal direction of movement is indicated byarrow 11. Disposed above the conveyor belt 10 and extending transverselythereof is a support frame indicated diagrammatically at 12, and thissupports a carriage assembly indicated diagrammatically at 13 whichcarries a cleaning head indicated generally at 14.

[0020] The cleaning head 14 comprises a hood assembly 15 which is openat its bottom and faces the upwardly presented surface of the conveyorbelt 10. Within the hood 15 there is mounted a brush means whichcomprises a body 16 in the form of a hollow cylinder or drum withbristles 17 carried on the external surface of its peripheral wall. Thebrush is rotatable about its central longitudinal axis 18 which extendsparallel to the surface of the conveyor belt 10. The brush is rotatableabout the axis 18 as indicated by arrow 19, and the cleaning headassembly carries a suitable motor, e.g. an electric motor connected tothe brush by a suitable transmission means for effecting such rotation.

[0021] The brush body is hollow and steam is delivered to its interiorby an inlet pipe indicated diagrammatically at 20. There are a number ofapertures as indicated diagrammatically at 21 in the body 16 for releaseof steam in the vicinity of the bristles 17. There may be any number ofapertures of any required form spaced circumferentially and lengthwiseof the body of the brush to ensure satisfactory delivery of steam to theregion in which the bristles of the brush contact the conveyor belt 10as the brush rotates, and across the width of the conveyor belt which isengaged by the brush.

[0022] At the front edge and rear edge of the hood 15, having regard tothe normal direction of movement 11 of the conveyor belt, there arerespective intake openings 25, 26 leading to respective passages 27, 28in the hood and thence to a connection 29 to a source of suction of anextraction system. Associated with the intakes 25, 26, which extendparallel to the axis 18 for substantially the whole extent of the hoodin that direction, there are shown squeegee or wiper blades orassemblies 31, 32; other cleaning devices may be provided at suchpositions, e.g. further brushes for contacting the conveyor beltsurface, an air jet or jets for assisting drying the surface at theintake 26, and so on.

[0023] Shown in FIG. 2 there is an equipment cabinet 35 alongside theconveyor belt 10, which contains a steam generator and an extractionsystem for connection 36, by flexible pipes or hoses, to the steam inlet20 and extraction connection 29 on the cleaning head assembly 14. Theequipment cabinet may also contain control equipment for controllingoperation of the apparatus. In particular the deliver of steam,operation of the suction extraction system, and rotation of the brush 16may be individually controlled so that the brush may, for example, beused “dry” when required.

[0024] As illustrated the cleaning head 14 is of substantially lesswidth than the conveyor belt 10 and therefore to clear the entiresurface of the latter movement of the head in the direction transverselyof the conveyor belt is required. With the conveyor belt moving, thehead may be left in one position for sufficient time to clean a part ofthe width and the whole of the length of the conveyor belt after whichthe head is moved transversely of the conveyor belt to clean anotherpart of the width thereof. This is repeated until the entire surface ofthe conveyor belt is cleaned. Movement of the cleaning head in thedirection transversely of the conveyor belt may be effected manually, orautomatically by a suitable control system. Alternatively the cleaninghead could be repeatedly reciprocated transversely of the conveyor beltto clean the surface thereof in a zigzag path thereon, such operationproceeding until the entire surface of the belt has been satisfactorilycleaned.

[0025] Whichever method of operation is adopted, the invention enablesthe surfaces of a conveyor belt to be effectively and economicallycleaned when such cleaning is required.

[0026]FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically possible positions in whichapparatus in accordance with the invention may be mounted in relation toa conveyor belt in order to clean the latter. In this Figure, the upper,load-carrying, run of a conveyor belt is indicated at 40 and itsdirection of travel by arrow 41. The lower, return, run of the belt isindicated at 42, the belt having passed around a guide roller 43 at itsend. Items are delivered onto the conveyor at a loading stationindicated by arrow 44, and transported by the conveyor to its end wherethey are unloaded or delivered. Cleaning apparatus according to theinvention may be mounted as indicated at 45, in order to clean thesurface of the conveyor belt before items are placed on it at theloading station 44.

[0027] Alternatively, the cleaning apparatus may be disposed beneath theconveyor to clean the surface of the belt while it is moving along itsreturn path 42. By way of example such a position of the cleaningapparatus is indicated at 46, supported by a stand 47 or, alternatively,suspended from the framework of the conveyor. In this case it may benecessary to provide additional guide rollers for the conveyor belt asindicated at 48. Cleaning the surface of the conveyor belt while it ison its return run provides maximum time for it to dry before it isloaded with items which are to be transported. An extraction systemprovided as part of the cleaning apparatus will, of course, have to bearranged to remove any debris or the like falling from the surface ofthe conveyor belt within the upwardly-facing hood of the apparatus.

[0028] Although described above in relation to the cleaning of aconveyor belt, the apparatus in accordance with the invention may beused for cleaning other surfaces for example a floor surface. For thispurpose, the cleaning head may be mounted on a suitable frame or chassisstructure movable over such a surface on wheels for example. A steamgenerator and suction generator may be mounted with the cleaning head onsuch a chassis. As referred to above, in relation to the cleaning of aconveyor belt surface, the apparatus is usable for cleaning surfacesother than those which are upwardly presented and with any appropriatemodifications may be used for cleaning, for example, a wall surface.

[0029] In the present specification “comprise” means “includes orconsists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.

[0030] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or thefollowing claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in theirspecific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosedfunction, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, asappropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, beutilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. Apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising brush means including abody (16) which carries bristles (17) engageable with the surface; meansfor effecting movement (19) of the bristles relative to the surface, toprovide an agitating cleaning action thereon; said bristle-carrying bodyfurther being provided with steam delivery means (20, 21) for applyingsteam to said surface in a region thereof engaged by said bristles. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bristle-carrying body (26)is a hollow body and said steam delivery means (20, 21) provides forsteam to be passed therethrough and to emerge therefrom in the vicinityof said bristles (17).
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidbristle-carrying body (16) is in the form of a hollow cylinder withbristles carried on the external surface of a peripheral wall thereof,supported for rotation and drivable about its longitudinal axis (18) sothat the bristles are operable on a surface lying substantially parallelto said axis.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein steam issupplied to the interior of said bristle-carrying body (10) and emergesthrough passages afforded by apertures in the peripheral wall thereof.5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein saidbrush means is disposed within and covered by a hood (15) which isarranged to approach the surface which is to be cleaned.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 further comprising extraction means (29) forremoving matter from the surface being cleaned.
 7. Apparatus accordingto claim 6 wherein said extraction means has at least one intake (25,26) at one or more boundaries of the hood.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 7 comprising a further cleaning device or devices (31, 32)associated with said intake or one or more thereof.
 9. Apparatusaccording to any one of the preceding claims further comprising asupport means (12) providing for the apparatus to be supported at anappropriate height above a surface to be cleaned and enabling theapparatus to be moved relative to said surface.
 10. Apparatus accordingto claim 9 wherein support means comprises a chassis structure enablingthe apparatus to be moved over a floor surface.
 11. Apparatus accordingto claim 9 wherein said support means comprises a frame (12) forsupporting the apparatus in relation to a conveyor belt (10). 12.Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said frame (12) provides formovement of the apparatus in a direction transversely of the conveyorbelt (10).
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 comprising aremotely-positioned steam generator and source of suction for anextraction system, and flexible connections to the apparatus.
 14. Aconveyor system including a conveyor belt and apparatus according to anyone of claims 11 to 13 arranged for cleaning the conveyor belt.
 15. Amethod of cleaning a surface, comprising engaging said surface bybristles of a brush means and effecting movement of said bristlesrelative to the surface, wherein steam is delivered to said surfacewhere it is engaged by said bristles.
 16. A method according to claim 14wherein said bristles are carried by a hollow body and said steam isdelivered through said hollow body and emerges therefrom in the vicinityof said bristles.
 17. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.
 18. A method of cleaning asurface substantially as hereinbefore described.